Replies

1. 
   Routerman | Aug 27, 2005 02:16am | #1

   Takes 2 big routers to = one small shaper. Shaper for doors, drawers and windows and whatever you can feed it.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 28, 2005 07:16pm | #4

   Kind of hard to hold that Shaper table on the wood when you need that Router!

2. 
   Steve50 | Aug 27, 2005 03:58am | #2

   The answer to this really depends on how many doors you intend to make.  Assuming that you want to do cope and stick doors with raised panels, either will do the job but the router I believe to be somewhat more limited on the raised panels.  If you do it occassionally, I would go for the router.  If you do a lot of doors, I would go the shaper route.  Be aware that if you go for the shaper, you will spend more for tooling and you may as well count on buying a stock feeder as that 7" diameter raised panel cutter turning at 7000 rpm is quite un-nerving.

   I thought the term dovetail jigs and user friendly were mutually exclusive terms.  I have had 3 different dovetail jigs and currently have the Leigh D4.  It is complex but very versatile and does have a bit of a learning curve.  On the other side of this equation, I will say that the Leigh instruction manuals are simply the best that I have ever seen written for anything - ever - period.  All other manufacturers (dovetail jigs or otherwise) should spend the $12 and get one just to see how manuals should be written. 

1. 
   micr03 | Aug 29, 2005 03:29am | #11

   Thanks for all the feedback eveyone I think I will go with the leigh.Rick

3. 
   dirtstirrer | Aug 27, 2005 09:32pm | #3

   micro,

   I'll agree with the other Steve on the dovetail jig, and the shaper.   I've got the D4, and it just works.  Ditto on the manual.  The one other thing I'd add about shapers, you can use router bits in them, so you won't be spending any more to equip a shaper then you would a router, unless you want a cutter which is only avalible to the shaper.   I don't have a feeder for my shaper, yet, but it would be nice.

    

    

   Steve
1. 
   Willie | Aug 29, 2005 12:02am | #6

   For 3/4" spindles, shaper tooling is not that much more expensive than good router bits. I find the cut on a shaper to always be superior in finish.

   A router bit attachment on a shaper is not a good idea, as the speed is too slow at the cutting edge.

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Aug 29, 2005 01:26am | #8

   Willie,

   True, the speed is lower, but on bigger router bits, like the big panel raisers, slower speed is desirable.  I agree that the shaper gives a better finish. 

    Steve

4. 
   notDusty | Aug 28, 2005 11:29pm | #5

       micr03 ,

                     As was asked , are you a full time ww or hobby ? Give us some info to help answer and put the correct perspective on the subject . One way is set two routers up with the stile and rail cutters and use your shaper for raised panels and such . Even though many shapers have a collet that accepts router bits I would be cautious in using a router bit that may be designed to spin approx 20,000 rpm on the shaper that may spin 8-10,000 rpms . I keep the stile and rail cutters always set up on two shapers and have another set with a raised panel cutter , for full time wwing much time is saved in set up and if you forget or ruin a piece it is quick to re make .

               good   luck            dusty

1. 
   micr03 | Aug 29, 2005 12:43am | #7

   Full time woodworker.I probably would only stay set up for the job in hand.There are some pictures in the gallery of some toy boxes that I crafted.Thanks for the reply.Rick

1. 
   notDusty | Aug 29, 2005 03:02am | #9

                micr03 ,

                              Your toy boxes are very wild , looked like a very very custom job . You certainly have what it takes to do the deed . Now as you go buy the tooling and machinery as you can one piece at a time as a deal comes up . Buy something that will last your whole career for most stuff , it won't really  cost much different in the long run.

                  thanks for sharing those pics                  dusty

                           a 30 million dollar house  ,,,,,,,,,,,,,whoa dude !

                                      don't let that client slip away

1. 
   micr03 | Aug 29, 2005 03:27am | #10

   I was a trim carpenter on the job for 2 years straight.Just to give you an idea he the roof gutters were $490,000.WHOA

5. 
   TJB | Aug 29, 2005 04:23am | #12

   I just had the same decision to make and went with a 3 HP Rockwell Shaper.

   I bought it at auction for just under $400.00 which I thought was a good deal, the only thing was it was a three phase machine. I figured that I could get a single phase motor and just switch it out. But I found out that it was easier and less expensive to buy a 3 phase rotary converter. About $250 and another $50.00 for circuit breakers and #4 wire.

   ($700.00 so far)

   I shopped around for shaper cutters, even looked on E-Bay. I found that people on E-Bay were paying as much for a "vintage" cutter as you would pay for a new cutter.

   To make a long story short, I bought a new Freud door set online for about $250.00 and another wenge set from woodcraft as it was $40% off so that was another $70.00.

   ($1020.00 now)

   I have a coping spindle on order from Amazon for another $100.00 and at some point when I do some free form work will need a guard for another $50.00.

   So far I have $1120 invested and I consider what I bought so far to be a start up set and will probably spend more on cutters.

   I have used my routers to make doors for years and have always struggeled trying to get good results. Joints don't always fit right you have to make several passes, the router bits tend to burn and the router is noisy! Not that I will ever throw my routers away, they have thier place but not for heavy cuts.

   A few thoughts on my decision making process.

   I am expanding my capabilities with this machine, no question about it a heavy duty machine with a good solid base and cast iron table makes superior cuts.

   If you are going to go this route spend the money on cutters made for shaping otherwise why bother doing this, stick with the router.

   Three phase machines are cheaper and you can get them at auction. (I got mine from IRS auctions online.) Don't get hung up on the "Made in America vintage machine craze" and pay big bucks for a single phase machine ($1200.00 or more)

   I do not regret going the three phase route, it has given me more options such as a 3 phase compressor and posible power feeder down the line.

   Last if you are going this route get a book on shapers. I bought "The Shaper Book" by Lonnie Bird on Amazon (used) for $14.00. It will put you at ease as there is a lot of power on that spindle and you better know what you are doing to be safe.